Last week, while fashionistas were viewing spring 2015 styles at New York Fashion Week, I was reading my September magazines (six pubs equaling 2,000-plus pages) to get a lowdown on what's on trend for fall 2014. It's time for my fabulous fall fashions roundup. I'm here to share the colors, fabrics, styles, accessories and shoes you will want to be wearing as the weather cools.
Can you feel my excitement? While I don't need as many clothes as when I was working full-time, I always leave room in my closet for a few new items. Plus, it's been fun to help my daughter A and son D build their working wardrobes as they each establish their own executive presence.
Prep Your Wardrobe
Are you sitting down? Do you have a pen? Do you know what colors look good on you? Do you know what styles are flattering to your mature figure? Most of all, have you gone through your closet and discarded any old clothes that don't fit anymore or are just plain worn to the threads? If you need help, contact my stylist Elizabeth at Styling by Elizabeth and she can provide great guidance.
Pick a Palette of Pretty Colors and Fabrics
I do like the fall colors. Designers know how to tint shades just enough to make you want to buy more. Some call it sangria; others call it maroon, wine, eggplant—all berry tones are popular. Indigo, navy, bright cobalt and denim are the blues in demand. Apple red, chocolate brown, cognac, mustard gold and grape purple will make you think of food and drink as you shop. Bring the outdoors in with greens in moss, kelly, forest and earthy green. Winter white and pastels are always available.
Gray is the new black per O, The Oprah Magazine, while orange is the new black according to Vogue. Which is it? You decide what looks best on your body.
When it comes to fabric, there are so many choices: glitter and metallic, sheer, quilted, faux fur, houndstooth, bold graphics, plaid, animal and southwestern prints and more. Can't forget the florals on dark backgrounds which almost look Gothic.
Shop Tops, Bottoms and Wraps
Pop on a turtleneck or crew sweater, a cozy knit or bejeweled sweatshirt. Cover it with a jacket that suits your shape—bomber, oversized menswear blazer, anorak, aviator, shearling. Any will do. Want to look like Olivia Pope from Scandal? Wrap yourself in a wrap coat. Bring out your capes and ponchos too—seems like they never go out of style. (So glad I can wear my Burberry cape again this season. The saleswoman was right—it's always a classic.)
What will you wear on your bottom? There are skirts in midi (too long for my petite figure) and mini (not for mature women, but I had to include so you are totally up on the trends), side slit and A-line (nice, nice).
Pants are cropped and long, wide leg and baggy. Best of all, drawstring pants and activewear are now everyday chic for outings beyond the gym. (Ooh, ooh, ooh—my favorite trend. I plan to rock it with colorful Zella leggings.) Remember that denim is always trending. Best for boomer girl figures is DL1961 Women's Florence Instasculpt Skinny Jean, which provides a perfect high-waisted fit.
Accessorize With Handbags, Belts, Jewelry and Shoes
Monograms are back in vogue, as are narrow belts, long scarves, oversized clutches, gold-tone watches and bold color necklaces. Need a bigger handbag? Try a backpack, top handle, bucket or tote to carry your endless stash of stuff. (I prefer the tote variety since I have so many pairs of eyewear to carry, including my huge sunglass case, which takes up half of my purse.)
Are you tired of shopping yet? Wait, wait, wait! Don't forget to cover your feet in something fantastic. Shoes are important to finish off your outfit. This season aim for menswear flats with lace-ups or penny loafers, wedges and T-straps. If you want more coverage, try ankle boots or over-the-knee boots. (Note: I'm heading to Lord & Taylor later this week for its big fall shoe sale.)
I leave you with a wonderful quote about aging from designer Diane von Furstenberg's memoir, The Women I Wanted to Be. Although I never owned one of her wrap dresses, I admired them from afar, as I admire her. She has continually reinvented herself. Diane says: "In a sense I feel more beautiful than I have ever felt because my life is full, my children and grandchildren are my pride, and so is the body of my work. I cannot pretend that I am younger than I am, and truly I feel that I have lived so fully that I should be twice my age."
This post originally appeared on aboomerslifeafter50.com.
